The start date of the celebration depends on the solar and lunar cycles, and this year it fell on February 10.
According to the Buryat national tradition, Sagaalgan is celebrated for a whole month: they eat white food, go to visit, exchange wishes for health and well-being. Prayer services are held in the datsans. Buddhists perform a purification rite on the eve of the holiday, symbolically burning all the negative accumulated over the year. It is also recommended to clean the house before Sagaalgan
On February 9, from 22.00 hours, on the night before Sagaalgan, a hural "Baldan Lhamo" was held in honor of the patroness of the Buddha's teachings. It is believed that on the eve of the Buddhist New Year, Baldan Lhamo descends to earth, bestowing his blessing on everyone.
At the end of the prayer service, lamas and parishioners present hadakas to each other with good wishes, congratulations on Sagaalgan and Happy New Year according to the lunar calendar!
This year, the day has been declared an official day off in the Irkutsk region.
On February 10, Irkutsk Buddhists gathered in the square near the Trud stadium. Concert performances of national Buryat collectives were organized for them here. The holiday ended with the global Buryat dance "Ekhor", which was attended by several hundred people.
In Tibetan Buddhism, prayer drums are usually twisted to combine physical activity with spiritual content. The most common drum filling option is Avalokiteshvara's mantra "Om mani padme hum". Among the Buryats, such drums are called "hurde".
Pavel Kuzmichev | Russia Life | Pavel Kuzmichev Collection | Pavel Kuzmichev
Night prayer in Irkutsk Datsan in honor of the Buddhist New Year. The prayer took place on the night of February 9th- 10th. It is on February 10, 2024, that the Buddhist holiday Sagaalgan (White Month holiday) begins. Throughout the month, Buddhists celebrate this event.
Pavel Kuzmichev | Russia Life | Pavel Kuzmichev Collection | Pavel Kuzmichev
Colored flags that Buryat Buddhists hang on special logs installed in the datsan. It is believed that the higher you hang the flag, the more successful and happy the new year will be.
Pavel Kuzmichev | Russia Life | Pavel Kuzmichev Collection | Pavel Kuzmichev
Buryat folklore ensemble "Ayanga". Ayanga in translation from Buryat is a melody. Irkutsk residents celebrate the Buddhist New Year (Sagaalgan).
Pavel Kuzmichev | Russia Life | Pavel Kuzmichev Collection | Pavel Kuzmichev
Buryat folklore ensemble "Ayanga". Ayanga in translation from Buryat is a melody. Irkutsk residents celebrate the Buddhist New Year (Sagaalgan).
Pavel Kuzmichev | Russia Life | Pavel Kuzmichev Collection | Pavel Kuzmichev
Buryat folklore ensemble "Ayanga". Ayanga in translation from Buryat is a melody. Irkutsk residents celebrate the Buddhist New Year (Sagaalgan).
Pavel Kuzmichev | Russia Life | Pavel Kuzmichev Collection | Pavel Kuzmichev
Irkutsk residents dance the national Buryat dance Yekhor.
Pavel Kuzmichev | Russia Life | Pavel Kuzmichev Collection | Pavel Kuzmichev
Irkutsk residents dance the national Buryat dance Yekhor.
Pavel Kuzmichev | Russia Life | Pavel Kuzmichev Collection | Pavel Kuzmichev
